Everyone waspletely baffled.


    Meanwhile, Wanda led Helen Cunningham into the house. Once Helen was inside, she saw Dominic sitting in the dining room. He was really eye-catching, and it was hard not to notice him.


    Helen''s smile stiffened slightly. She never expected Vespera to have a boyfriend so soon and such a handsome one too. Was her son, Benjamin Gomez, about to be disappointed again?


    "Sorry, Helen." Wanda felt a little uneasy as she led Helen to sit on the couch. They had chatted a lot over the phone for the past few days.


    Not only was Helen a former colleague, but she was also a teacher. Since they lived in the samemunity, both families visited each other often.


    Benjamin was brilliant as well and was working as a doctor now.


    Over the phone, Wanda learned that Benjamin had been asking about Vesperately. She knew he''d always had feelings for Vespera from a young age.


    Before Benjamin could even confess his feelings for Vespera, Luke had proposed to her. Ever since then, Benjamin no longer visited the Gildons.


    Since Vespera had gotten divorced, Benjamin had asked Helen to ask about her. That showed he still held a torch for her.


    Helen and Wanda had a discussion and decided to let Vespera and Benjamin have another shot.


    "Who is he?" Helen nced toward Dominic in the dining room, her gaze filled with animosity.


    "Vera''s boss."


    "Why is her boss here for dinner?"


    "He helped us before, so we''ve invited him over for dinner."


    "What about Vera and Benjamin..."


    "About that..." Wanda stammered.


    Helen became anxious. "Is our n still on? I''ve already called him this afternoon. He said he''ll be here once the operation is over. He''s waited so many years for Vera."


    Helen and Wanda''s conversation drifted into the dining room, leaving Vespera speechless. Even Vernon seemed ufortable.


    Reba sped her hands and asked Vespera quietly, "Is Benjamin that handsome friend who used to tutor you?"


    Reba remembered there used to be a stoic handsome young man who dropped by the Gildons'' home every day to tutor Vespera when she was in her senior year of high school.


    Vespera felt like she was about to have a headache.


    "Ms. Gildon, I had no idea you were having a blind date today," Dominic remarked pleasantly while gazing at Vespera gently. He even wore a warm smile, making him seem downright terrifying.


    She had no idea whether to cry orugh as she turned to him. "I had no idea."


    Dominic''s mocking smile seemed rather terrifying. "But you know now. Would you mind if I stayed back to watch? I could help you get a measure of him."


    Vespera hissed. "Stop talking!"


    Meanwhile, Wanda lowered her voice. "Can you tell Benjamin not to visit today? Things aren''t... as I expected. Let me ask Vera, and we can make arrangementster."


    Helen fumed in silence. She couldn''t even hide her displeasure.


    Vespera watched Helen remain seated on the couch. Clearly, she had no intention of leaving.


    Vespera was also worried about how awkward things would be if Benjamin really showed up. By then, Dominic would not let her off easily.


    "Dad, I''m going out with Ba for a while."


    "Go ahead." Vernon agreed readily.


    Vespera turned to Dominic. "Mr. Reid, please enjoy your meal." She decided to make a run for it.


    Dominic did not utter a word. He merely lifted his wine ss and took a sip.


    Vespera ignored him and shot Reba a meaningful nce instead. Both of them walked out of the dining room.


    Wanda and Helen got to their feet once they noticed Vespera and Reba walking toward the door.


    "Vespera, where are you going?" Helen wanted to stop her from leaving.


    "Mrs. Gomez, I have something to do. I''m leaving now." Vespera walked ahead quickly.


    Reba managed to block Helen so she couldn''t hold Vespera back. "We really have something to do, and it''s super urgent. Please have a seat, Mrs. Gomez. We''ll be back shortly."


    By then, Vespera had just reached the door.